IDC has learned through some market research that AMD's fourth quarter financial success isn't only due to Intel's payout settlement of $1.25 Billion, but also thanks to an increase in microprocessor shipments for both the mobile and desktop markets, while Intel saw a drop in both.

Where the same time in 2008 AMD had control of 26% of the desktop microprocessor market, a rise at the end of 2009 saw an almost 3% growth to 28.6%.

While the figures aren't as impressive in the mobile market, AMD's share here went from 10.2% in Q4 2008 to 12.7% at the end of 09; a jump nonetheless. No doubt their quite capable little Athlon Neo has given them a helping hand here with it being found in a mass of ultraportables recently.